NEW DELHI: With the Tejas Mk1A programme mired in persistent delays, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are set to hold a critical programme review later this month to take stock of progress and finalise a revised induction timeline, it is learnt.
Sources in the defence establishment said senior officials from the IAF and HAL will meet in New Delhi to assess the progress made on mandatory operational requirements, benchmarks considered non-negotiable for the aircraft to be accepted into service.
“The outcome of the review will be decisive. If the programme is sufficiently on track, the IAF is likely to take delivery of the first Mk1A within the next two-three months. If not, further slippages are likely,” the source said.
The mandatory requirements include completion of missile firing trials, integration of the radar with the electronic warfare suite and validation of the full weapons package.
“The IAF is pushing for clarity on when the first aircraft, already over two years behind schedule, will finally be inducted,” the source added. “We have granted certain exemptions from contractual obligations and if the mandatory requirements are met, we would take the fighter as soon as possible.”
The delays come as the IAF grapples with a squadron shortfall, operating just 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5.
Beyond delays in the supply of GE F404 engines from the United States, the integration and certification of the Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA radar has added to the programme’s timeline pressures.
In February, HAL declared five Mk1As ready for delivery, saying the aircraft had incorporated “major” contracted capabilities. However, sources indicate that while the five aircraft described as “ready” incorporate key contracted capabilities, not all contracted capabilities have yet received certification, with certain mandatory clearances still pending.
The New Indian Express was the first to report that the Mk1A would miss its March delivery deadline owing to pending certifications and operational clearances.
Earlier, HAL had projected March as the delivery window during the Mk1A’s maiden flight in Nashik last October. Before that, it had indicated that the first two aircraft would be handed over by October, a deadline that was not met.
Separately, HAL is yet to close out the IAF’s original Tejas Mk-1 contract. Of the 40 aircraft ordered, comprising 16 IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) single-seaters, 16 FOC (Final Operational Clearance) single-seaters, and eight twin-seat trainers, 38 have been delivered, with two FOC trainer variants still pending.
The IAF has ordered 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, which are set to form the backbone of its future combat fleet. HAL’s current fighter production capacity stands at around 24 aircraft per year. At this rate, completing deliveries for the full Mk1A fleet could take over seven years, pushing full induction to around 2033, assuming no further delays.